IGERT - Learning with Disabilities

1. IGERT - Learning with Disabilities • IGERT FELLOWs • Stephanie Auld – Stephanie will receive her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering June, 2007. She is a very active undergraduate student with positions including chair of the Ad-Hoc Teaching Committee, Student Ambassador for the College of Engineering and Computer Science, President of the WSU Biomedical Engineering society, President of the Student Advisory Board. Stephanie’s PhD work will be in the field of medical imaging, sensor signal and image processing. • Melissa Bautista – Melissa received her B.S. in Biology/Biomedical Sciences from the University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, 2001. She is currently studying the ultrastructural analysis of the central nervous system. Her research involves working with a congenitally deaf mouse model to study the effects of altered input during development. She uses this model to observe physical and anatomical differences from that of a non-deaf mouse and better understand the influence of hearing on the development of the central nervous system. • Ronald Butcher – Ron received his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, 2005. He began the IGERT program last quarter and is beginning to define his dissertation. Last quarter Ron volunteered at the Shiloh House Adult Day Services to understand different disabilities and work with individuals to help them learn and thrive. • Maurissa D’Angelo – Maurissa received her B.S. of E. in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 2004. She received her M.S. in Human Factors Engineering from Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, 2006. Maurissa is currently working on her dissertation studying the effects of proprioception and virtual reality on rehabilitation. She currently volunteers at Untied Rehabilitation Services and the Lifespan Health Research Center where she works to help rehabilitate individuals with disability. • Carissa BrunsmanJohnson – Carissa received her B.S. in Computer Engineering from Ohio State University, 1993. After graduating she worked as a computer consultant for and as a project manager for web and electronic commerce projects. After recognizing usability issues with websites, she decided to return to college to study human computer interaction from Wright State University (WSU). Last June, she graduated with a M.S in Human Factors Engineering and was accepted into the PhD program at WSU. Her dissertation research area is still undecided. Carissa volunteers in the special needs and kindergarten classroom at Mills Lawn elementary school in Yellow Springs, Ohio. • Rob Keefer – Rob received his B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science from Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, Michigan. He received his M.S. in Computer Science from Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. Rob is currently a user focused Software Engineer. He has a broad background and advanced experience delivering useable software. Rob has spent the past several years leading the development of client-server and online applications and volunteers as a community member of itWorks.Ohio – futuring panel and programming committee. Rob will begin his IGERT PhD fellowship this fall. • Katherine Lippa – Katherine received her B.A. in Near Eastern and Judiac Studies & History from Brandeis University, Waltham, MA. She received her M.S. in Human Factors Psychology from Wright State University, 2006. Her dissertation work focuses on “A Multi-Modal Approach to Complex Cognition Associated with Chronic Disease and Disability.” Katherine has worked with several diabetes clinics to help optimize their education programs. • Julio Mateo – Julio received his B.A. in Psychology from the Universidad Ponticia de Salamanca, Spain, 2003. He received his M.S. in Human Factors Psychology from Wright State University, 2007. His dissertation work will focus in navigation aids for the blind. Julio currently volunteers at Goodwill/Easter Seals Miami Valley – Technology Resource Center and Vision Services. • Holly Slack - Holly received her B.S. in biological sciences in 2002 from Wright State University. She will receive her M.S. in biological sciences in 2007. Her dissertation work will be in the area of Human Factors Psychology and will focus on elementary school students with developmental disabilities.